DEA Warning Crimps Lethal Prescriptions in Oregon

A week after Oregon voters affirmed the state’s law allowing doctor-assisted suicide, some physicians are holding off on writing prescriptions for lethal drugs for fear of being punished by the federal government.

Despite what Oregon voters say, the Drug Enforcement Administration is warning doctors that they risk losing their licenses to write prescriptions if they help someone commit suicide.

“If I were to lose my DEA license, my practice would close,” Dr. Peter Rasmussen, an outspoken supporter of assisted suicide, said Tuesday.

Oregon approved a law three years ago that permits doctors to dispense drugs for the purpose of suicide, but legal challenges prevented it from taking effect. Voters reaffirmed the law last week when a ballot question seeking the law’s repeal was defeated.

However, DEA Administrator Thomas Constantine warned that doctors who take part in assisted suicides would be violating federal narcotics law and risk losing their licenses to prescribe drugs.

Physicians are licensed to practice medicine by the states, but it is the DEA that registers doctors to prescribe drugs.

The Justice Department, which would be responsible for enforcing such a revocation, has yet to determine if the DEA position is a correct reading of federal law, department spokesman Gregory King said.

The quandary has left Oregon doctors confused and worried.

“It’s a big deal,” said James Kronenberg, spokesman for the Oregon Medical Assn.

“We’re telling them, ‘You may lose your DEA license. They’re not fooling.’ ”

Oregon’s senators disagree over what is to be done.

Republican Gordon Smith, who opposes assisted suicide, said he let the White House know that he agrees with the DEA and that state law must be consistent with federal law.

“It is not unreasonable for the federal government to have concern about this,” he said. “This is not a small issue, and this is not a practice which will stop at the borders of Oregon.”

Democrat Ron Wyden, who also opposes assisted suicide, said the federal government should nonetheless abide by the will of Oregon voters.

“The people of Oregon voted ‘no’ on the repeal” of the law, Wyden said, “and what I’m telling the Clinton administration and the congressional leadership is: ‘What part of “no” do you folks not understand?’ ”